Physical health in schizophrenia

People with schizophrenia are at a higher than average risk of physical ill health, and earlier death than the general population.^[1][2][3] The fatal conditions include cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic disorders.^[4]

Although death by suicide in schizophrenia has received much needed attention, and is the leading cause of death among males, death from cardiovascular disease is more common in females,^[5] accounting for up to 75 percent of deaths.^[6] The causes of physical health problems include factors associated with mental illness and its treatment, poverty, poor housing, higher rates of smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise.^{[7][8][9][10]}